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Hi, it has been a very long time since I have posted here. I have decided to do a short film and I am thinking about featuring Aikido sword, jo, and open hand technique in a fight scene(s). The film is going to have a post apocalyptic mixed with a medieval theme.

It will be shot in High Definition 1080p with a high quality 35mm digital video camera as well as a rented XHA1 professional camcorder. Professional audio and lighting as well.

This is going to be a low budget collaborative film where it will depend on a group of volunteers to help see it through.

For most of the actors needed you won't need acting skills, only a few characters will have some dialogue. There will be a need for a lot of bad guy ukes as well as a core groups of heroes and villians.

Also I am looking for people to collaborate with: filming, producting, writing, directing, costuming etc.

I am hopeful there is some interest in this, I really want to feature aikido since I think it is the best martial art for this type of action.

I don't have any set schedule, it is just at the concept stage at the moment.

That would be great Kevin, even if all we can muster is a 5 minute fight scene with a few people it still would be pretty cool. But of course more people and a longer film would be better for the story and character development. We'll see what happens.

I definitely need people like you with a lot of experience to choreograph the fighting.

here is some sample footage that was filmed with the main camera I will be using. Not my film but shows its capabilities. This is significantly better resolution than the digital cameras used to film 28 days later.

OK great, unfortunately I can't really schedule anything until I know how many people are going to be involved and what scope this will end up being. There is a lot of planning that needs to go into it first. If 2 or 3 people get involved it will be just a small scene if I get 20 it could end up being a longer more developed project. This is basically Guerrilla filmmaking, making do with what you can get and being flexible enough the change with the circumstances.

Also, you don't necessarily have to be from the area to get involved, people could come in for a weekend and shoot then return home.

I am going to start a new blog for this project soon so we can discuss the details there. I hope to keep this aikiweb topic going for a little while to allow more people to get involved but move it over to the blog after a little while.

I was thinking of reaching out to some more martial arts in the area, especially the kendo and jodo groups. I will also try to get some folks from my Judo class.

I am going to start a new blog for this project soon so we can discuss the details there. I hope to keep this aikiweb topic going for a little while to allow more people to get involved but move it over to the blog after a little while.

I was thinking of reaching out to some more martial arts in the area, especially the kendo and jodo groups. I will also try to get some folks from my Judo class.

The kendo people are kind of wary of this sort of thing. We have had people in the past want to borrow bogu for filming.

I completely understand weariness about someone wanting to borrow your equipment and go make a movie with it.

I want to assure you my intention is a lot different. I want to collaborate with people who not just participate but also contribute creatively to the work. People will most likely have multiple roles, actor/writer being one example. I don't want to try and pretend I am an expert in Kendo, I will leave that to the Kendo people to lead and choreograph so that their art is represented faithfully.

I just have a camera and an idea and am looking for people to work with to do something cool on film.

Shodothugs and aikibunnies are welcome, there is definitely a mystical element to the idea that would appeal to the more spiritual people as well as fighting and gore that will appeal to the jujutsu minded.

Just to give you a very rough idea of the concept I have, think Lord of the Rings meets Mad Max. Not a perfect description but good enough for now

It's good to see that your intrested in creating a film of what I, and those of my path consider to be our Culture, way of life, and not a hobby or weekday affair.

I wanted to bring the Idea of creating a film of Budo and introducing it to the mayor film industries as a means to shine the real light of the Art amongst the people of Today,.

Budo and Aikido, is not about a pony tail affair like i saw someone write infact if you really look at Segals stance or technique from an experienced Master's eye you'll notice the many flawss in his harsh attempt of a demonstration, yet when u put him on the mat i heard he is a whole different person and actually executes technique in an amazing gracefull way.
Non the less if your looking at this art wanting to be wat your not, you'll only get hurt and miss the meaning of its true essence wich is brought to light through O'Sensei's teachings of a Universal Path.

Budo is more then just technique there is a Spiritual level that is needed to become great in this Art. Which is something that people of today know nothing off.

I would Sincerly love to help you out with everything involving this film, it would be a great project to carry out not only for the viewer but also the Spirit of all those whom participate.

If there is any one in this World today whom still carries O'Sensei's essence alive unlike any other, it would be me, and have been recognized as such by our most influencial Masters and leader of our Art today.

Budo was taught to me not buy paying a local dojo and recieving a Dan in 3 years, oh no no no and those whom do so hold no place in the eyes of those tradition.

It takes a life time to master such Art and it takes an avarege on no less then 10years to be considered of Yudansha level. Most high ranking students of today know not how to sit, nor stance, or are familier with the Original Japanese names to what they think they know.

Budo is a gift that becomes and is a part of you since birth, no different then and artist of paint, music, or opera, so does the sword keep it's rightfull place amongst those of warrior traditions. Budo is an Art passed down to me from father to son under the privacy of my masters, and their families home.

My references are many and not only found in the public dojos but amongst those of the true path and family traditions of Budo.
You can read my Biography for more info.
Though i only visit public dojos to teach and sharpen their skills, I keep much of the Arts true nature to myslef hidden and reserved for only those whom are dedicated and trust worthy.
It has been a long goal of mine to introduce the correct and proper way of our Art AikiBudo, and the meaning of Aikido.

Lets not forget Aikido was created for the public, in a time when humanity was in the path towards its end, and was left upon Kisshomaru and those of the Aikiaki to continue on.

AikiBudo is the True Essence of O'Sensei's Art, and is a path held tightly to its traditional ways, where in todays Aikido much has been lost, and hence fourth you cannot come about saying you are of the true path if not blessed by a dirrect decendet of O'Sensei.

Lets get together combine our thoughts and wisdom, so we can help the world of today capture the Arts true Essence, and that of Aikido which is to bring fourth World Peace.

You can send me an Email so we can have a true heart to heart, and see if we can help realize what you've invisioned.

Hi Michael, my younger brother is a fairly successful filming editor in LA, but is young enough to enjoy this sort of work. He also trains in a martial art, but not aikido. that will have to wait until he tries to whomp on me come christmas time.

His scheduling is kindof random, but I would not be surprised if he would be interested in cutting/timing/finishing matching, etc, etc, as long as you don't mind working with someone remotely.

I will speak with him tonight, and then pm you with contact info after he gets a chance to read this thread.

To be clear - the plot of this film is set in a post apocalyptic / medieval theme, correct? It is a fictional production whose fight choreography and other pertinent elements will be taken from Japanese Budo such as Aikido, Kendo etc.?

This is not planned to be a documentarty piece that will "help the world of today capture the Arts true Essence, and that of Aikido which is to bring fourth World Peace." Correct?

Please let me know if I am wrong. Wouldn't want your plot to be overrun by another's idea of what should be presented in the production. Hoping that the politics will be kept to a minimum is all.

Essentially that is the general idea Larry. I think the whole thing could lose focus if it becomes just an effort to show the true meaning of aikido and budo. Although this could be portrayed by the general struggle of good vs. evil and some element of mystitcism.

Luis, I am all for portraying Aikido/Kendo etc. in a positive light and being respectful to its principles just so long as that doesn't not become the subject of the movie. I do envision characters who are spirirtual, warrior monks and mystics but nothing specific to any religion or spirirtual belief. I would appreciate your help if this is OK and still interests you.

Mike, that would be awesome, I need all the help I can get and people with editing skills would add a lot of production value. I can edit and such but have not done it professionally.

Also, I am probably going to officially register the project as a nonprofit corporation. I want to stress from the very beginning that safety will have to be paramount. No live blades or weapons can be permitted anywhere near filming locations and everything will have to be done with safety in mind.

yes Kevin I agree, it can become too complicated. It is mainly about having fun and keeping it simple. I definitely don't want to go into the details of budo and its background and spirituality and philosopy. Any mysticism will have to represented in a simple manner such as a warrior monk or somethig.

But I also don't want to limited any creativity at this point, the end product is going to have to be simple but we can develop a rich background to draw from and then remove stuff that is not pertinent. It is all just brainstorming right now.